He will come, he will see and he’ll conquer in Rome
AFTER closing out his singles match against Xander Schauffele at Whistling Straits in 2021, Rory Mcilroy walked off the 16th green and burst into tears.
This was the man who was once said to be not overly bothered about the Ryder Cup.
Now, he was struggling to stop crying, apologising to his team-mates for the three losses that had preceded his victory over Schauffele.
“I’ve never really cried or cared about what I’ve done as an individual,” Mcilroy (below) said on that afternoon in Wisconsin.
“I love being part of this team. I love my team-mates so much and I should have done more for them this week.
“I just can’t wait to get another shot at this.”
Well, it’s almost time for another shot. And Mcilroy will be on a mission to atone for his losing record in the States two years ago.
He, of course, was not the only European to be below their best as the Americans recorded a thumping 19-9 triumph.
In fact, only the Spanish duo of Jon Rahm and Sergio Garcia emerged with distinction from the contest.
But that was a European team that had too many players whose best Ryder Cup days were clearly beyond them – specifically, the Liv-bound trio of Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter and Paul Casey.
Between them, they scraped two points from 10 matches.
But this European team look leaner, fresher and fitter.
And don’t believe fitness cannot be an issue in golf – the hilly Marco Simone course, in temperatures expected to nudge 30C, will be a physical test. And, with an average age of 30, this European line-up is one of the youngest Ryder Cup teams in recent memory.
Having said that, the American team has a similar age profile – and just happens to have three of this year’s Major champions in its ranks.
Make no mistake, this is a formidable United States coming to Rome – the average world ranking of Zach Johnson’s players standing at 13 compared to Europe’s 30.
The Americans have not won on European soil since 1993, but, justifiably, they are favourites on most bookmakers’ lists. Half of their team are in the top 10 of the world rankings list, which is headed by Scottie Scheffler.
One thing is almost certain, Europe will need a lead going into the Sunday singles if they are to win back the cup.
But the form of most of Luke Donald’s players going into the showdown has clearly given the skipper an extra spring in his step and this is a European 12 with a point to prove – that the old guard of Poulter, Garcia and co have had their day and it is time for the new brigade to shine.
But while the four rookies will have an important role, it is the Rory factor that could seal the deal for the Europeans.
It’s absolutely for certain that Mcilroy will be a man on a mission – and not only to make up for being partly culpable for Europe’s emphatic demise at Whistling Straits.
It is doubtful there is a single fellow professional golfer who does not believe that Mcilroy – in peak form – is the best golfer in the world.
But on his 28-game Ryder Cup record, he has ‘only’ 12 wins – and he knows it should be more.
Mcilroy feels that he still owes Europe a landmark performance. And in Rome, he will deliver it.